Activities of the East-West Culture Learning Institute, founded on the premise that patterns of a particular culture may be learned, are reported in Volume I of an annual publication. Papers written by the members of the Institute's staff and former Fellows describe research in progress in four major areas of concern. A paper in the area of…

A seminar whose purpose is to raise the professional competencies of those concerned about Adult Basic Education (ABE) by providing an overview and understanding of the major principles and practices of ABE is presented. Specific objectives include: (1) to enable each class member to formulate and to defend a philosophy and rationale of ABE which…

Authoritarianism is a negative factor in learning as well as a social problem. If teachers can be trained to counter authoritarianism, they can begin to break the vicious circle of people growing up in an authoritarian culture, becoming authoritarian themselves, and molding their institutions and overall behaviors in an authoritarian fashion. This…

This document describes the development of an observation instrument which could provide an objective record of the content of the learning environment in the early childhood classroom. A team of early childhood specialists explored the critical dimensions of the preschool experience and developed a series of descriptive categories in terms of…

This study examines both the relationship between teacher evaluation by students and student performance (where students were unaware of course grades), and the role of learner perception of effective teaching styles on those evaluations. Ninty-three graduate students served as subjects for this study. Near the end of the five-week course, the…

More states are recognizing that preschool is a vital first step toward helping children succeed in school. Ensuring that preschoolers have a high quality early learning experience provides them with the skills they need for later school success. In New Jersey, the poorest school districts have been collaborating with community-based child care…

This research project examined the potential role of agricultural experiences as a vehicle for meeting the diverse learning needs of rural primary students in developing countries. Volume 1 of the project report represents a literature review that investigated a "new role" for agriculture as a key element for developing rural students'…

This bulletin has been prepared to help teachers, supervisors, students of education, and others gain information and understanding about current practices and developing trends in the social studies programs of elementary schools throughout the Nation. Emphasis is given to ways in which social studies adjusts to the challenges of living in an age…

Middle school practices should reflect research showing how students entering adolescence, at 10-14 years of age, are different from other children. Middle school students are changing physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Schools should emphasize: (1) active learning experiences; (2) student-centered methods; (3) recognition of individual…

Looks at the lives of two well-known writers to explore how diverse experiences produce literate adults. Discusses Agatha Christie and Jack London who used reading and writing to earn a living and to gain international reputations. (MG)

Increased emphasis has been placed on student teachers' practical experiences in Scottish schools resulting from government policy specifying teacher competencies, student teachers' views of their learning experience, and research into the nature and contribution of practicing teachers' knowledge. Addresses implications concerning this shift of…

This article is concerned with the learning of mathematics before the commencement of formal schooling. Describes the experiences of two students from four main sets of data: formal and informal measures of mathematics achievement, the learning environment in the home, and observations during teacher-led sessions concerned with mathematical…

Explains how parents can be their baby's partners in the "dance of development" by understanding the milestones, windows, and prerequisites of child development; by giving their baby the power and treasure of language; and by teaching their baby about kindness and beauty. (BB)

Examines the life and work of a teacher of Japanese traditional dance ("Nihon Buyo") in the United States, K. Fujima. Describes the following: (1) Fujima's educational approach; (2) her students' learning experience; and (3) her contributions to the maintenance of Japanese ideal behavior in the communities in which she teaches. (SLD)

Information assurance courses delivered in an online environment pose challenges to the development of meaningful hands-on exercises for students. This article presents techniques on furnishing laboratory exercises to online students and presents examples of assignments drawn from the author's experiences in teaching online courses for over three…